Apparatus for casting concrete around piles



May .30 1944- l T. H. HANSEN i 2,349,961

APPARATUS FOR CASTING CONCRETE AROUN PILES May 30 1944- T. H. HANSEN n f 2,349,961l

APPARATUS FOR CASTING CONCRETE AROUNE PILES Patented May 30, 1944 Y "OFFICE-@ APPARATUS FOR CASTING CONCRETE AROUND PILES Thorwald H. Hansen, Avenel, N. J. Application May 21, 1942, Serial No. 443,849 2o claims. ('01. tls-11s) Y The present invention is directed to the treatment of piles, particularly those'located under water, for the purpose of repairing the-same and preventing erosion.

In my prior Patent No. 2,189,028, issued February 6, 1940, I have described a process wherein a form was placed around the eroded portion of a pile, and concrete poured into the same ina special manner, the concrete being allowed to set to form a reinforcement for the pile. According to said patent, the form which was used was so constructed that it could be removed and used over and over again. Also, by the use of the form, it was sometimes diicult to seal off the bottom, when short jackets are required or where the pile was irregular in shape or had an obstruction. This caused the loss of some concrete during the pouring operation.

The present invention is intended and adapted to improve upon the invention of my prior patent, it being among the objects thereof to provide a form for holding the concrete during the pouring and setting thereof which will prevent leakage or loss of concrete in the operation. f

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a means for recoveringr the form after the concrete has set, even though the operation has been conducted under water, without the necessity of anyoperator going under water in order to disassemble the form.

Inrpracticing the present invention I provide a form usually made of a single sheet of steel or the like, having its two longitudinal edges'bent outwardly to form flanges, and means are `provided for holding the ilanges together in order to close the side of the'form. The lower end of the form is closed by a exible member usually in the form of a tube which is held inthe bottom of the form by temporary securing means. The open form is placed around the pile, the side edges are secured together, the tube is placed in its lower end, and the assemblyis then lowered through the water to the position on the pile where the concreteis to be cast.

Means are provided for extending the tube in order to close the bottom and to prevent leakage of cement or concrete. The tube may be of several types. One type which has been found quite desirable consists of an open-ended rubber tube which is adapted to be placed around the `pile so that its ends overlap. A source of air` capable of manipulation from above is attached tothe tube, and after the formis in place, the tube is inflated to extend it against the form and vthe pile, providing a tight seal.

Another form of tube adaptable for the por# pose, and not requiring iniiation, is filledfwith a soft slurry of cement, plaster or'concrete which is placed in the bottom of the form and held in position. As the concrete is'poured o'ntop of the same it distorts the soft' lled tube and'extends it to provide a tight seal. Y y

lAfter the concrete has been set, theiniiatable tube may be removed. This is accomplished 'by first removing the means which held the tube in the form, then deiiating the same andv spreading the ends of the tube apart. -All these operations may be conducted by means of suitable wires or cords manipulated from above the water line. Then, the entire tube may be pulled from above and removed from the form;

The invention also contemplates means for opening the form vitself and removing the same from aroundthe concrete reinforcement. This is accomplished by providing the meeting flanges with temporary locking means which are adapted to be removed by manipulation from above the water line. Several types of locking arrangements maybe used, as for example, a series of fork members or adjustable clamps straddle the edges of the anges all along its length. These members are interconnected by a chain, cable, or the like, having slackness between the adja-f cent forks. Pulling the `chain from above exerts force which loosens the uppermost of the forks and thereafter successively loosens each ofthe other forks. By this means, but Very little tene, sion is required forunlocking the form, nomat-` ter how long the form may be, nor how diflicult it would ordinarily be to unlock the same.

After the side flanges have been released, the form tends to spring open at least partiallyby reason of the springiness inherent in the metal. Connections are provided whereby the thus opened form may be pulled up out of the water.

By means of the present invention it is possible to assemble the form completely above the water line,`then lower it into the desiredposition for the pouring of the concrete. The inflation of the tube automatically centers the formv so that an equal thickness of concrete is obtained all around the pile. It is unnecessary to do any of the Work under water, so that a .platform may be provided either on the pier or even below the ilor of the pier, and all of the operations conducted regardless of the tide or weather.

Afterthe concrete has set, the removal of the form is a very simple operation, requiring only the pulling of a few cords, cable, or chains, and

fork;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modied form of locking arrangement;

Fig. 7 is an end view thereof; vFig. 8 is an elevational view of a form. having a special arrangementl in the bottom thereof for holding; the tube;

Fig. 9' is' a bottomy viewthereof;

Fig, 10 isa fragmentary elevational view of a modification of Fig. 8:; v

Fig..11 is a bottom view of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 isV a. horizontal. cross-sectional` view o-f a modified form of the device;

Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken alongthe line I-3-I 3-of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a simil-er view taken along the line I 4-I4 of Fig. 12 of a modified form;

Fig. I5 is a plan` view of a. modifiedr form ot locking arrangement;

Fig. 16 is side elevational. View thereof;

Fig. 17V is an elevational view showing an asassembly of devices adapted to. accomplish the. desired result; and

Fig. 18 isv a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along. theline. I'8'-I.8v of Fig. 17j..

Referring to. Fig. 1, thepile I is in position, being. held below .the mud` line, the low Water line being indciated at 2 andthe highv water line at. 3.. A form 4.' made of` bent sheet metal has along the lateral' edgesA thereof',l members 5 secured thereto andi terminating inl'ongitudinal anges' 6,. as shown in Fig.Y 3.. Ears I are secured t0 form 4 at opposite sides nearthe' topV thereof, and chains 8 are. securedv thereto for hoisting purposes.

The flanges 6 are secured together by means' of a seri'es of clips or; clamps 9 having forked ends 9' and round bars II)l welded to the tops thereof. The opposite ends are provided with openings wherein a chain II is adapted: to be se-4 cured. As` shown' in. Figs. l and 2, they portions I2. of the chain between the adjacent' clips areloose. Recesses I3^- are provided in flanges: 6', serving as. seats for members III and providing a fulcrum.

In order to close the bottom ofthe form., therel is provided an inflatable rubber tube t4, the. endsy Il5- and' I6` thereof' being sealed and'l being beveled as shownA at I'I inorder that the two: ends may t togetherl to form aV circle,` as shown in Fig; l An opening I8 provides means forinflating the: tube. It is placed in. position. and enclosed in a cover ,IQf whereby it covers. the entire open end. of the form and holds concrete in place. An opening 29- in cover I9 provides'means. for an inflating' tube connection to I4. The. free end ZI ofv cover I9 fits into the opposite. endv 22: which has a slittherein provided with grommets whereby the entire assemblyA may be closed by lacing. Tabs 24' are located atboth. ends of cover I9 and cords, or the like, are adapted to Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of. the locking be attached thereto whereby, upon pulling on the cords, the ends of I9 and I4 may be opened for removal.

A block 25 of Wood, or the like, is placed within portions 5 to fully close the form. The connection at I8 terminates in a tube 2| reaching to above the water line.

A series of loops 2'I which may be rubber bands, cords, wires, or the like, surround casing I9 and extend through a series of openings 28 in form 4. A wire, or the like 29 is threaded through the loops on the outside of the form and an eye 30 is attached to a central portion of 2.9'. A cord', or the like 3| secured to eye 38 reaches above the water line for manipulation.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the flanges 6 have diagonal slots 32 with capscrews havingxwashers 3.4 welded to the head of capsorews 33, inserted into the bottom of the slots 32. Levers or bars 35, which revolve about 1/4 turn on capscrews 33, and having openings 36, are fitted. over heads 3.3. At the opposite end of levers are openings 38 to which the chain I I is secured.

In Figs. 8 and 9 is shown a means for holding the tube I9 inl place. It consists of a door 39 hinged at 4l) to form 4 and a similar door 4I hinged to the opposite side at. 42. An overlap 43 on door 4I holds door 39 in place. Cables 44 are attached to extension 43 and the upper ends thereof 45 are provided with. hooks which are attached to the upper edge of the form 4.

In Figs. 10 and 1.1 is shown a modification of means for holding the tube I9. There is provided a pairy of flat bars 46 and 4'Iy secured to bar 48 at the bottom of form 4. A similar bar 49 is held by bars 46 and 41 without being secured thereto. At the corners 50 of the rectangleare secured cables 5I extending upwardly and being secured by turn buckle hooks 52 to the top of the form.

In Figs. l2 to 14 is shown a further modification of the invention. The pile 53 is rectangular in outline with flattened corners, so that the cross-section is an Octagon. The form 4 made in two halves, is closed around the pile. A tube 54 has a beveled, attened portion 55 at both ends. A similar tube 56 has a flattened portion 51 at both ends similar to the tube shown in Fig. 4. However, thetubes 54. and 56 are filled with a semi-liquid cement or concrete and water mixture 53, so that they are capable of being de- Y formed. When introduced into the form,y they are in the shape of al circle 60 which, by the weight of concrete poured on top thereof,l is attened as shown in Figs. 13.and.14, When piles are. badly deteriorated there is provided a block 6I in order to give the proper contour to the tube 54. Said tube is. supported and` held in pla-ce by angle members 58 secured to and made.

part of the form.

' In place of the clamps or clips above described, one may use a form such as is shown in Figs. 15 and 16. It consists essentially of a pair of jaws 52 and 63 held together by a screw 6.4 passing through jaw 62 and threaded into jaw 53. A screw 55 in4 the end of j-aw 53. and threaded into the same, contacts with a depressed portion 66 in jaw 62. A section of a round rod 61 which acts as a ulcrum is welded to jaw 62.

In Figs. 17 and 18 there isshowna modification of the invention whereby a standard form may be used for casting aI relatively long repair section. There is provided a form 68 similar to that.A f described above, and a form 69- contacting with.

2,349,961 the bottom thereof. The additional form is made perimposed upon the lower form and are held inplace by plates 'l1 similar to plates 15. Suitable chains 19 are provided whereby each section of the form may be loosened from the next lower section and thus enable the entire assembly to be removed without exerting any undue force.

' There are many advantages inherent in the new construction. It enables quick repairs to be made under various conditionsand in most cases the structure is usable during the operations.V

Various changes in the 'construction of the apparatus will suggest themselves Within the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is dened in the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form', a flexible tube in the bottom of said form, said tube closely fitted between said pile and form to cover the open end of said form` sai'd tube being supported through the side of said form, means for inflating 'said tube to close said bottom and to center said forml relative to said pile, and means for delating said tube and for removing the same from said pile while-said form is in place.

' '2. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a iiexible tube in the bottom of said form, said tube closely fitted between said pile and form to cover the open end of said form, said tube being supported through the side of said form, a fluid setting mixture contained therein, means for inilating said tube to close said bottom and to center said form relativeto said pile, and means for delating said tube and for removing the same from said pile While said form is in place. f

3. Apparatusfor casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a flexible tube in the bottom of said form, said tube closely tted between said pile and form to cover the open end of said form, said tube being supported through the side of said form, means for ini'lating said tube with gas to close said bottom and to center said form relative to said pile, and means for deflating said tube and for removing the same from said pile while said form is in place.

4. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a flexible tube in the bottom of said form, said tube closely tted between said pile and form to cover the open end of said form, said tube being supported through the side of said form, a jacket surrounding said tube, means for inflating said tube to close said bottom and to center said form relative to said pile, and means for deiiating said tube and for removing the same from said pile while said form is in place.

5. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for 4closing the side of said form, a ilexib-le tube held in the bottom 'of said form, a plurality of openings in the lower portion of said form, holding members on said tube extending through said openings, means threaded through said members on the outside of said form to hold said tube in place, and means for inating said tube to close said bottom and to center said form relative to said pile.

6 Apparatus for'ca'sting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means vfor closing the side of said form, a flexible tube held in the bottom of said form, a plurality of openings in the lower` portion of said form, holding members on said tube extending through said openings, means threaded through said members on the outside of saidform to hold said tube in place, and meansA for iniiating said tube to close said bottom and to center said form relative to said pile, and a pull cord attached to said threaded means for remov-` ing the same from said members.

7. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround aI pile, means for closing the side of said form, a flexible tube in the bottom of said form, and means for inating said tube to close said bottom and to center saidl form relative to said pile, saidtube being of annular shape with free ends which overlap so that said tube is closely tted between said pile and form, said tube being free from supports belowfthe same, whereby it may be removed from below.

8. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to `surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a ilexible tube held in the bottom of`v said form, and means ior inflating saidY tube' to close said bottom and to center said form relative to said pile, said tube being of annular shape with free ends and having pull tabs adjacentsaid ends, whereby said tube maybe pulled open.

9. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a flexible tube held in the bottom of said form, a jacket surrounding' said tube, and means for inflatingsaid tube to close said bottom and to center said form relative to said pile, said tube and jacket being of annular shape with free ends, pull tabs on said jacket adjacent said ends, whereby said tube and jacket may be pulled open'.-

10. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a iiexible tube held in the bottom of said form, a jacket surrounding said tube,

and means for inilating said tube to close said bottom and to center said form relative to said pile, said tube and jacket being of annular shape with free ends, one end of said jacket being slit to allow the opposite end of said jacket and tube to be inserted therein, and means for lacing up said slitted portion.

11. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a iiexible tube held in the bottom of said form by a closed hinged door arrangement secured to said bottom and adapted to be opened.

12. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, meeting flanges along said side, and means for clamping said iianges together :includingv a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected by slack connectors between adjacent clamps, and a single means for releasing all of said clamps, said clamps being detachable from said form.

13. Apparatus `for casting concrete around piles comprising a form -having a side opening ladapted to surround a pile, meeting flanges along said side, and means for clampingsaid anges together including a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected by slack connectors between adjacent clamps, and a single means for releasing all of said clamps successively to allow complete separation of said flanges and opening up of said form.

1 4. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, meeting flanges along said side, and means for clamping said anges together including a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected by slack connectors between adjacent clamps, each clam-p having a fork adapted to embrace said flanges, a fulcrum bar attached thereto, a recess in said anges for said bar, and a single means for releasing all of said clamps.

15. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, vmeeting flanges along said side, and means for clamping said anges together including a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected by slack connectors between adjacent clamps, each clamp having a fork adapted to embrace said flan-ges, a fulcrum bar attached thereto, a recess in said flanges for said bar, and a single means for releasing all of said clamps including a pull device adapted to rotate said fork to a position out of contact with said flanges.

16. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, meeting anges along said side, and means for clamping said flanges together including a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected by slack connectors between adjacent clamps, each clamp having a fork adapted to embrace said anges, a fulcrum bar attached thereto, a recess in said flanges for said bar, mechanism for adjusting the width of the space within said fork, and a single means for releasing all of said clamps.

17. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having .aside opening adapted to surround a pile, meeting flanges along said side, and means for clamping said flanges together including a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected, each clamp having a bolt adapted to hold said flanges together, a slot in said flanges extending downwardly and inwardly from the edges thereof, said bolt being held therein, and a single means for releasing al1 of said clamps.

18. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, meeting flanges along said side, and means for clamping said anges together including a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected, each clamp having a bolt adapted to hold said A flanges together, a slot in said flanges extending downwardly and inwardly from the edges thereof, said bolt being heldvtherein, a bar attached to the bolt adapted to turn the same when manipulated, and a single means for releasing all of said clamps.

19. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround apile, meeting flanges along said side, and means for clamping said flanges together including a plurality of longitudinally spaced clamps, said clamps being interconnected, each clamp having a bolt adapted to hold said flanges together, a slot in said flanges extending downwardly and inwardly from the edges thereof, said bolt being held therein, a bar attached to the bolt adapted to turn the same when manipulated, and a single means for releasing all of said clamps secured to each of said bars.

20. Apparatus for casting concrete around piles comprising a form having a side opening adapted to surround a pile, means for closing the side of said form, a pair of flexible tubes in the bottom of said form, each of said tubes surrounding about one-half of the circumference of said pile, the ends of said tubes being overlapped, and means for inflating said tubes to close said bot-v tom and to center said form relative to said pile, said tubes together having an approximately annular shape with free ends which overlap so that said tube is closely fitted between said pile and form, said tube being supported through the side of said form whereby it may be removed from below.

THORWALD H. HANSEN.. 

